Columbus County commissioners to consider transit fare increases, PFAS settlements
WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — Columbus County commissioners are set to consider several transportation, infrastructure, legal and budget items when they meet Monday night.
The Board of Commissioners is scheduled to meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2, at the county offices on West Webster Street in Whiteville.
One of the larger items involves a proposed increase in public transportation fares. Transportation Director Joy Jacobs is asking commissioners to schedule a public hearing for Nov. 16 on raising current $3 fares to $5 and $10 fares to $12.
The proposal would also increase fares for veterans from $6 to $8 and set out-of-county trips at $40 round trip instead of pricing them on a case-by-case basis. County staff say the proposed increases are tied to fuel costs.
Commissioners will also consider a $267,750 multi-year contract with Inland Associates Inc. for the county’s property tax revaluation work.
Another agenda item involves the Columbus County Airport, where commissioners will consider approving $169,816 in professional services for the third phase of a wildlife perimeter fence project. County documents say the work is fully grant funded.
The board will also consider a final change order for the airport’s Automated Weather Observation System project. The adjustment would reduce the contract amount by $8,136.80 based on final construction quantities.
Commissioners are also being asked to approve the county’s participation in additional PFAS settlements involving Amerex, Archroma U.S., Carrier Global Corporation and Nation Ford Chemical Company.
Other items include proposed updates to county personnel policies, including social media, identity theft, travel, dress code, Family and Medical Leave Act, voluntary shared leave and employee benefits policies.
The board is also expected to consider several budget amendments, including $400,000 in transportation grant funding, $9,095 for the Sheriff’s Office DARE fund balance and donation, $8,303 in additional Health Department funding and a $1,000 donation for the Department of Aging.
During a separate water and sewer districts meeting, commissioners will consider a change order for the Livingston Chapel Road project that would add $119,887.73 to the contract. The additional funding would cover 39 more water meters, increasing the total number of customer tie-ins from 60 to 99.
The board will also consider a tentative award resolution from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for the Riegelwood Waterline Replacement Project. Final NCDEQ approval is required before construction can begin.
The agenda also includes an annual update from Trillium, a public comment period and several board and committee appointments.
